I am independent today, says Justice Liberhan

"I am independent today". This is what Justice (retired) MS Liberhan said on Tuesday after submitting the one-man Commission's report on the 1992 Babri Masjid Demolition to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Refusing to divulge the contents of the report, he said, "I submitted the report to the Prime Minister. There are various things that I have stated in my report. You can read

"It is up to the media to commend it or condemn it," he said.

Asked why the Commission, which had got 48 extensions, took 17 years to prepare its report, he attributed it to delay in getting witnesses and the non-cooperative attitude of some people.

Liberhan said the government would study the report and take action accordingly and then submit the report and the action taken report to Parliament.

He said the report is a "privilege" of Parliament and he would not be able to say if he has recommended any penal punishment. "I can't open my mouth for this. The report can speak when it comes out."